Special Registration Requirements

The USCIS has issued special registration requirements for male citizens from the following countries:

Afghanistan

Jordan

Saudi Arabia

Algeria

Kuwait

Somalia

Bahrain

Lebanon

Sudan

Bangladesh

Libya

Syria

Egypt

Morocco

Tunisia

Eritrea

North Korea

United Arab Emirates

Indonesia

Oman

Yemen

Iran

Pakistan

Iraq

Qatar

ISSS strongly recommends that students who are subject to special registration should continue to monitor information about special registration requirements by reviewing DHS and USCIS materials.

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Important Update: **DHS eases some Special Registration requirements, effective December 2, 2003**

On December 2, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a rule that amends several requirements associated with the Special Registration program. Although the Special Registration program has been modified by the new rule, it has not been eliminated.

Under the new rule, individuals subject to Special Registration are still subject to departure controls that require them to use only designated ports of departure when departing the US, but they are no longer required to report to DHS offices in between entry and departure (the 30-day and annual re-registrations). However, DHS retains the option to call in individuals for re-registration on a case-by-case basis. If DHS chooses, it can notify an individual nonimmigrant to appear for re-registration.

The changes to Special Registration are effective immediately.
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Registration with the appropriate DHS official must occur under certain circumstances:

a. Upon arrivalb. After certain events, such as change of employment or schoolc. Prior to and upon re-entry from any trip abroad (travel allowed only through designated ports of entry)d. At the time of departure from the U.S.

If you are a male citizen from one of the above countries, please review the materials posted by the USCIS regarding special registration. Please take the time to read these instructions carefully, as it is your legal responsibility to follow them. This information can be accessed by the following link: